Dale Carrick, the Hearts striker, has been ruled out for the foreseeable future with a hamstring tear sustained during last Wednesday's Under-20s defeat by St Mirren.

The unlucky 20-year-old has already been sidelined this season after a thigh injury kept him out for over a month at the start of the campaign.

Robbie Neilson will be hoping injuriesa do not hamper his plans for Sunday's derby at Easter Road. Osman Sow, who scored his eighth goal of the season in Saturday's 5-1 win over Dumbarton, was substituted at half-time with a tight hamstring while fellow striker James Keatings has missed three matches with a groin injury. Defender Danny Wilson was another weekend absentee, due to a hamstring complaint.

Neilson is at least hoping to have Sow available to face Hibs. "He went off with a tight hamstring but it was just a precaution. I didn't want to take any risks with him, he's a big player for us and we'll make sure he is fit."